Change of character detector for typewriter controlled punch



Oct. 8, 1963 D. w. BERNARD 3,106,337

CHANGE' OF CHARACTER DETECTOR FOR TYPEWRITER CONTROLLED PUNCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 5. 1960 oci. s, 1963- CHANGE 0F CHARACTER DETECTOR FOR TYPEWRITER CONTRQLLED PUNCH Filed Aug. s. 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

\ DAV/0 nf. BERNARD United States Patent O 3,106,337 CHANGE F CHARACTER DETECTOR FOR TYPE- WRITER CNTRQLLED PUNCH David W. Bernard, Norwalk, Conn., assignor to Sperry Rand Corporation, New York, NX., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 3, 196i), Ser. No. 47,206 12 Claims. (Cl. 234-23) This invention relates t0 typewriters, and more particularly, to an improvement in the detection of numeral and letter typing and precedence switching means therefor, for retention of data in code form to be relayed to tape in Teletype or other like equipment. It has been customary in installations of this type, to employ electrical matrices which, supplying signals to a series of relays and tubes, convey the necessary signals for` change over from numerical to alphabetic printing and vice versa. Mechanical shifting devices are in use comprising shiftable individual coding bars or hails which require a great deal of mechanics for transferring the shift to the relays for actuating necessary punches. Y

A principal object of this invention is to provide a standard keyboard typewriter with means for detecting and retaining the conversion from alphabetic to `numerical typing or vice versa, and simultaneously relaying the signals to a tape punch.

Another object of this invention is to provide switching means on a typewriter whereby the conversion from alphabetical to numerical typing or vice versa is preceded by a signal to a punched tape coding system.

Still further objects of the invention are: to provide switching means for operating a keyboard lock and disconnecting normal signals to the tape punching circuits during which time the precedence code is punched into the tape; to provide switching means on a typewriter for assuring the punching of an assigned character code to precede the next successive series of either alphabeticor numerical codes; and to provide a typewriter with means for relaying punching signals to a live level Teletype paper tape punch,

Other objects and structural details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

I F16. l is a side elevational View, partially in section, l

illustrating the conventional key action of` a power driven typewriter, g

FlG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of FIG. 1 illustrating a universal comb bail in conjunction with power arms and switching-means,

ber 4 comprising a long central hub strip portion 15, extending between each of the shaft hangers 13, is secured to the under flat side of a rock shaft 16 by rivets or screws 17. Comb or tine hails 18 and 19 extend downwardly and outwardly at an angle of approximately 45 from both the front and rear edges of the hub strip portion in staggered relationship to one another and are of varied widths in accordance with the code they represent. It is to be noted that for every tine or comb extension protruding from the hub strip on one side, there is a space on the opposite side. The comb bail 18 extending toward the front of the machine is designated as the numeral bail and the comb bail 19 depending toward the rear is desig Vnated as the letter or alphabetic bail, FlGnZ. In this connection the word numeral is intended to cover all of the other symbols used that are not numerals.

A conventional type key power action, FIG. 1, includes a key lever 29, key pivot 21, and linkage 22 connecting the key levers with power arms 23, suitably pivoted as at 24. Each power arm extends from its pivot at the front .Y

of the machine toward the rear and carries a follower roller 25 at its rear extremity which registers with the camming surface of an interponent power lever 26, which is pivoted as at 27 to a frame bar 28 of the machine. The upper end of this lever 25 is articulately connected by a wire link 29 to a type bar 3d, pivoted in a type segment,

`not shown, on a wire 31. A power cam 32, rotatably held FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of the switching means with the bail in alphabetic printing position,

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FlG. 3,y but with certain parts in moved relationship to one another,

FIG. 5 is a viewsimilar to FIG. 3 with the exception that the bail is in numerical printing position,

FIG. 6 is a chart illustrating the code designations corresponding to therletters, figures, Vsymbols and functions on a typewriter, i

PEG. 7 is a face View of a portion of paper tape illustrating the precedence code as it precedes each unit or block of letter typing or numeral typing, and g EEG. 8 illustrates the electric circuitry necessary to convey the precedence `coding impulse from a signal in the typewriter matrix to a ve level tape punch.

Referring in particular to FIGSJl and 2, 10 represents Ithe left and right side walls of a conventional typewriter frame. Secured to the inner surface of each side wall are angle brackets 11, the depending horizontal plates 12 of which support shaft hangers 1.3i. A universal bail mem on one side of each power arm 23 is situated directly 'above Vand normally spaced from a continuously rotating 30 power roll 33, operated by a conventional type motor drive, not shown. Y i

fAs a key is depressed, the linkage 22, through the rclease of a cam nger 34, will rotate .the cam slightly into engagementA with the power roller. The cam will then be rotated by the roll 33 about its eccentric center to raise power arm 23 and throw the type face of lthe type bar 30 againstrthe platen 35, thereby imprinting either letter or numeral characters as desired.V

The bail 14 is situated over and toward the rear of 'the series of power arms 23 and beyond the center of the power arm cams 32 so that as a cam isrrotated to its high point, the rising arm 23 will rock the bailk14 in either clockwise or counterclockwise direction depending on which comb bail, 1S or 19, is engaged by the edge of the power arm 23, l. Should an operator be .typing alphabetical characters consecutively, the universal bail 14 will remain in the position shown in FIG. 3, the slotted `areas of the comb bail 1d being over the power arms operated by the letter keys. For example, the spaces damet- V rically opposed to comb bails 19 designated in FlG. 2 as Q and A, Z, W, and S, etc., will allow rise of the letter key controlling power arms 23 without engagement with "the respective hails. The numeral tynes 18 designated as 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., FIG. 2, including also symbols and controls, on Vthe other hand, are tou-ching the top edges of numeral power arms 23 so that as a numeral key is depressed its power arm, upon rising, will immediately force the' bail 14 to rock counterclockwise providing the necessary precedence code pulse through signal switching means to be described. A similar action is represented in FlG. 5 with the exception that this position calls for the `depression of an alphabetic key to rock the bail in a clockwise direction thereby setting up a signal forran alphabetic precedence code.` The shaft 16 extends Vthrough the rightV Y side wall 10 to have keyed to its end a lever 36. Said lever has pivoted at its free end a toggle link 37 which in turn is pivotally anchored to the end of the `leaf contact 38 of a precedence toggle switch 39 comprising a lower Contact 4l) which normally is engaged by the contact 33 and an upper contact 41. A secondary link or lever 42, pivoted to lever 36 at 42', terminates as a pivotal anchor Patented Oct. S, 1963 at the end of a spring leaf contact 43 of a single contact code sensing switch 44, said spring contact 43 alternately making and breaking contact with spring contact 45 as typing proceeds from alphabetic characters to numerals or vice versa. Both switches 39 and 44 are secured in a suitable manner to a bracket 46 which is mounted on the side wall 10. Referring to FIGURES 3 and 5 it may be seen that during alphabetic typing the contacts 43 and 4S are closed and during numeral and symbol typing the contacts are open. Should, for example, it be desired to change from alphabetic to numeral typing, the operator need only to depress the next needed numeral key and the bail 14 will rock counterclockwise, lifting the toggle lever 36 into a position shown in FIG. 4, wherein the contact between springs 38 and 40 is broken and is made between 38 and 41. After a slight delay contacts 43 and 44 will break and remain broken, FIG. 5, for normal subsequent numeral typing. It is .to be noted here that a numeral or symbol precedence code signal has been relayed, following the action of the two switches, and punched into a Teletype paper tape. The relative timing of the two switches is such that switch 44 will be operated to either its open or closed condition prior to the return of contact 38 to closed condition with contact 40 of switch 39.

Each type character on the typewriter is represented by a predetermined hole code to be punched on paper tape, the system of coding being known as a tive level punch code. Inasmuch as only five channels are available for character code assignment, the system is limited to thirtytwo individual hole arrays. Since a typewriter employs twenty-six alphabetical, ten numeral and approximately fifteen symbol and punctuation characters, besides five function code characters, it is obvious that some repetition of coding signals to encompass approximately ftysix arrays is necessary. It becomes apparent, therefore that, for example in FIGS. 6 and 7, after an E has been punched, which is designated as a hole in the irst channel, and is 4to be followed by a numeral 3 employing the same code, a coded numeral precedence signal, which in the disclosed coding system comprises a four hole code, must precede the 3 signal. This will enable an operator to distinguish between letters and numerals or characters as they follow one another for checking purposes. Coordinated read-out typewriters will reproduce exact duplicates from a punched tape in accordance with the original copy transmitted. Similarly, another letters precedence coded signal must precede any alphabetic code to distinguish it from the preceding numeral or character coding. For example in FIGS. 6 and 7, if a G is to follow the ampersand, both of which have the identical numeral and character punch code, the letters precedence code, comprising a tive hole punch, will precede the G signal.

It is to be understood that the electric power driven typewriter, used herein as an example, is provided with numerous switching circuits and relays to operate the funtional mechanisms such as type actions, back spacing, carriage return, line spacing, etc., and the transmittal of punch codes from the typewriter to a Teletype paper tape punch presents novelty in the manner in which designated codes are punched which fortell a change over from alphabetic character to numeral and symbol character punching and vice versa. The circuit shown in FIG. 8 encompasses only that portion of a typewriter circuit which is vital to the explanation of the mechanical functions in conjunction with the electrical switching and electronic gating to accomplish precedence code recording.

The typewriter is provided with a neon matrix 50 which is a well known type similar to that shown in copending application of Paul Z. Rider, Serial No. 480,721, led Iaunary 10, 1955, acting as a signal conveyor for codes corresponding to the letters, numerals, symbols and functions of the keyboard. For normal typing in which all characters, regardless of form are to be punched, FIG. 8, current is supplied from a lead 51 to a universal switch 52 which is activated, from a signal supplied by a standard universal bar not shown, upon the depression of every individual type key. The signal continues through lead 53 and the make contact of armature 54 of a precedence relay 55, and through lead 56 into the keyboard controlled input section, not shown, of the neon matrix 50. The matrix emits signals entered into its neon tubes through leads 5'7 to the OR gates 58 which signals are, thereupon, amplified to energize corresponding magnets in a punch unit 59 to effect the code punching in a paper tape 60, illustrated in FIG. 8 as leaving the punch unit 59.

When a change occurs from letter to numeral and symbol code punching, FIGS. 3 and 4, the bail 14 is rocked in a counterclockwise direction by virtue of the movement by the power arm 23 through a numeral key, against comb bail 18. Leaf 38 of toggle or precedence switch 39 will break with contact 40 and make with contact 41, FIG. 8. Current normally supplied through lead 51 to capacitor 49 for transmitting pulses to the OR gates 53 by leads 61 is switched to activate the precedence relay 55, instantly attracting armature 54. The current for normal code entry into the neon matrix 50 through the universal switch 52 is interrupted so that no character code signal can be entered and Contact is made through the spring arm 62 of a precedence code entry switch 63, normally open, and which is to be closed by the code cam control 64 after recording of the precedence code. Simultaneously, armature 65 makes contact activating a key lock solenoid 66. This solenoid instantly locks all keys on the keyboard to prevent any typing until the precedence code has been entered into the matrix.

Armature 67 makes contact with a normally closed relay retaining switch 68, current being supplied through leads 51 and 69, which retaining switch 68 is also caused to operate by code cam control 64.

As lever 36 continues to rock, lever 42 will rise, causing contact 43 normally closed in alphabetic coding to break with contact 45, FIGS. 5 and 8, thus setting up the OR .gate leads 61 for the designated four hole numeral precedence code in the punch circuits, the central lead 61 having been disconnected. The toggle 37 after passing dead center will instantly cause contacts 38 and 41 to separate or break and restore contact between 38 and 40. Current will then be applied to capacitor 49 to transmit a pulse through the four leads 61 thereby feeding the numeral precedence code pulse into the punch 59.

When the punch circuits in the punch 59 are energized: a first punching cycle is initiated to cause punching of the precedence code; a cam shaft 70 of the code cam control 64 will rotate causing the cam to open a storage switch 71 and clear the precedence code signals from the punch circuit; subsequently in the punching cycle contact 62 of the code entry switch 63 will be closed thereby entering the character code into the neon matrix 50 and punch circuits to condition the punch for punching the respective character code in a second punching cycle; and contact of the relay retaining switch 68 will be broken, thereby `demagnetizing the armatures 54, 65, and 67 and restoring them to normal as shown in FIG. 8 prior to completion of the 4first punching cycle. Accordingly, the punch will continue uninterruptedly for a second punching cycle resulting from pulses entered into the neon matrix and punch through contacts 62, 62 prior to termination of the first punching cycle. Upon cornpletion of the second punching cycle the punch stops in cleared condition and prepared to receive signals from a subsequent typing operation. Any subsequent typing of numerals and symbols will not alter the precedence switching until a letter is sensed and is to be punched, whereupon the entire procedure is repeated with the exception that the code sensing switch 43, which is open during numerical typing, will close, FIG. 3, permitting entry of a ve hole letters precedence code into the punch circuit to vbe subsequently punched in the tape.

In FIG. 6 it may be seen that space, carriage return and line -feed are designated by code holes in channels 3, 4 and 2 respectively. Since none of these three yfunctions require any precedence punching but must convey instructions on the tape, they have been coded individually from the major code chart. The numerals and letters precedence are Valso individually coded by holes in channels 1, 2, 4 and 5 and 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively, since denite distinction between these and the regular numerals or symbol and letter codes must be maintained.

While I have described what I consider to be a highly desirable embodiment of my invention, it is obvious that the same can be applied to other than power operated machines and other changes in form could be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and I therefore do not limit myseli` to the exact form herein shown or described nor to anythingV less than the whole of my invention as hereinbefore set forth, and as hereinafter claimed.

What l claim is:

-l.` In a typewriter having a key mechanism, type bars, and power means includin-g power arms for operating the type 'bars selected by said key mechanism, comprising in combination, a pivoted bail member common to all of said power arms and comb shalped to provide a plurality of arm portions extending in one direction for engagement iwith power arms corresponding to letter keys and a plurality off arm portions extending in the opposite direction ,for engagement with power arms corresponding to other character and numeral keys, means for punching `code symbols `in a tape, circuit means ifor controlling said punching means, and means, in. said circuit means controlled by the loperation of said bail members in either direction by said power arms to condition said punching means for punching a precedence symbol in the tape when said bail member operates.

2. In a writing machine or the like, in combination, a key mechanism, type bars, and means controlled by said key mechanism for selectively operating said type bars, a pivoted bail member common to said key controlled means and shaped to provi-de opposed laterally extending bail rocking arm ,means for engagement at 'one side of said bail member with the key controlled means correspending to one set of characters and for engagement at the opposite side of said bail member with the key controlled means corresponding to another set of characters, circuit means including a plurality of switches for indicating a shift condition between successive operation of type bars corresponding to different sets of characters and toggle lever means connected to said bail member and loperated by the rockin-g action of said arm means for actuating said switches in sequence, said toggle lever means momentarily actuating one of said switches while passing from one stable condition to another.

3. In a typewriter having a key mechanism, type bars, and power means including power arms for operating the type bars selected by said key mechanism, comprising in combination, a pivoted bail member common to all of p said power arms and comb shaped to provide a plurality of arm portions extending in one direction for engagement with power arms corresponding to letter keys and a plurality of arm portions extending in the opposite direction =for engagement with power arms corresponding to` other character and numeral keys, said bail member being rockable in opposite directions by the power arms corresponding to letter keys and numeral keys respectively, means for punching code symbols in a tape circuit means for selectively controlling said punching means, and lmeans in said circuit means controlled by the operation of said bail member to condition said punching means for punching distinct precedence symbols in the tape corresponding to the direction in which said bail member operates. p

4. In a typewriter having a key lever controlled Vmechanism and type bars actuated thereby, the combination with said key lever controlled mechanism of a common bail means rockable pivotally in opposite directions and shaped to provide arm portions extending in opposite directions for engagement lby the key lever controlled the direction of rocking of said bail means.

5. -In a writing machine or the like in combination, a key mechanism, type bars, and means controlled by said key mechanism for selectively operating said type bars, pivotedbail means common `to said key controlled means and shaped to provide opposed laterally extending arm means for engagement at one side of ysaid bail means with the key controlled means corresponding to one set of characters and at the opposite side of said bail means with the key controlled means corresponding to another set of characters,'code hole punch means, a keyboard-controlled encoding matrix, circuit means including a plurality of OR gates coacting with said matrix to control the code hole punch means, a plurality of switches coacting with said OR gates for controlling said punch means independently of said matrix, toggle arm means on said bail means `for controlling the operation of said switches for altering l the operation of said punch meansin accordance with the direction of operation of said bail means.

6. rIn a typewriter having a key lever mechanism and type bars actuated thereby, the combination with said 4,key lever mechanism of a common bail means rockable pivotally in opposite directions and shaped to provide arm portions extending in opposite directions for engagement by the key mechanisms corresponding respectively to alphabetical and numerical characters, code hole punch means, keyboard controlled encoding matrix means, circuit means including a pluarlity of O'R gates coacting with said matrix means to control the code hole punch means, a plurality of switches controlled by the rocking movements of the bailin opposite directions including a precedence switch means for momentarily deactivating the encoding matrix and subsequently entering precedence code signals in said punch means through the OR gates, and cam controlled switch means for activating said matrix after said precedence switch enters said code signals in said punch means through said OR gates.

7. In a writing machine or the like, in combination, a key mechanism including type bars and means controlled by said key mechanism for selectively operating said type bars, pivoted bail means common to said key controiled means and shaped to provideV opposed laterally extending arm means for engagement at one side of said bail meanswith the key controlled means corresponding to one set of characters and at the opposite side of said bail means -with the key controlled means corresponding to another set of characters, a tape punch, encoding means controlled by the key mechanism, circuit means including a rst switching means for initially deactivating said encoding means and subsequently pulsing said punch in accordance -with a precedence symbol, gating means for passing pulses to said punch from said encoding means or from said irst switching means, Aand a second switching means for alternately opening and closing a circuit from said first switching means to said gating means, both of said switching meansy being operated by the pivotal movement of said bail means, said second switching means operating prior to the pulsing of said punch by said iirst switching means. v

8. In a writing machine or the like, in combination,

a key mechanism including type bars and means controlled by said key mechanism for selectively operating said type bars, pivoted bail means common to said key controlled means and shaped to provide opposed laterally extending arm means for engagement at one side of said bail means with the key controlled means corresponding to one set of characters and at the opposite side of said bail means with the key controlled means corresponding to another set of characters, circuit means including punch means, encoding means, universal switch means operated by said key controlled mechanism providing signal input to said encoding means for controlling the operation of said punch means, code entry switching means including cam control means for activating said encoding means, precedence relay means, precedence switch means controlled by said bail means for activating said precedence relay means, key mechanism locking means, the activation of said relay means operating said locking means and rendering the operation of said universal switch means null, and means for retaining said relay means energized, said precedence switch means being operable to enter precedence code signals in said punch means prior to deenergization of said relay means.

9. In a writing machine of the class described, in combinations, a key mechanism, type bars, means controlled by said key mechanism for selectively operating said type bars, pivoted bail means common to said key controlled means and shaped to provide opposed laterally extending arm portions for engagement at one side of said bail means with the key controlled means corresponding to one set of characters and at the opposite side of said bail means with the key controlled means corresponding to another set of characters, said pivoted bail means being rockable in one direction during the first operation of a key controlled means corresponding to said one set of characters following operation of a key controlled means corresponding to said other set of characters and rockable in the opposite direction during the first operation of a key controlled means corresponding to said other set of characters after operation of a key controlled means corresponding to said one set of charatcers, means for recording code symbols on a recording medium, en-

coding means controlled by said key controlled means for selectively actuating said recording means in accordance with the code symbol assigned to each character, switching means for selectively actuating said recording means in accordance with the precedence code symbol assigned to each set of characters, said switching means including first switch member operable for transmitting precedence symbol pulses to said recording means and a second switch member operable for selecting the precedence symbol to be recorded, and toggle means responsive to the pivotal rocking of said bail means for operating said second switch member prior to the operation of said rst switch member.

10. The invention according to claim 9 wherein said first switch member includes contacts closed in response to the rocking of said bail member in either direction, and said second switch member comprises contacts closed in response to the rocking of said bail member in one direction and opened in response to the rocking of said bail member in the opposite direction.

11. The invention according to claim l0 including relay means connected in a self holding circuit and effective when energized for disabling said encoding means during the recording of a precedence code symbol, and wherein said first switch member includes Contact means initially operated by said toggle means to complete an energizing circuit to said relay means prior to the closing of the contacts effective for transmitting precedence code pulses to said recording means.

12. The invention according to claim 11 including cam means operated by said recording means for interrupting said holding circuit to deenergize said relay means after the recording by said recording means of a precedence code symbol.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,377,801 Mills et al June 5,1945 2,882,972 Salmon et al Apr. 21, 1959 2,902,092 Hildebrandt Sept. 1, 1959 2,980,225 Intagliata et al. Apr. 18, 1961 *New 

1. IN A TYPEWRITER HAVING A KEY MECHANISM, TYPE BARS, AND POWER MEANS INCLUDING POWER ARMS FOR OPERATING THE TYPE BARS SELECTED BY SAID KEY MECHANISM, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, A PIVOTED BAIL MEMBER COMMON TO ALL OF SAID POWER ARMS AND COMB SHAPED TO PROVIDE A PLURALITY OF ARM PORTIONS EXTENDING IN ONE DIRECTION FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH POWER ARMS CORRESPONDING TO LETTER KEYS AND A PLURALITY OF ARM PORTIONS EXTENDING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH POWER AMRS CORRESPONDING TO OTHER CHARACTER AND NUMERAL KEYS, MEANS FOR PUNCHING CODE SYMBOLS IN A TAPE, CIRCUIT MEANS FOR CONTROLLING SAID PUNCHING MEANS, AND MEANS IN SAID CIRCUIT MEANS CONTROLLED BY THE OPERATION OF SAID BAIL MEMBERS IN EITHER DIRECTION BY SAID POWER ARMS TO CONDITION SAID PUNCHING MEANS FOR PUNCHING A PRECEDENCE SYMBOL IN THE TAPE WHEN SAID BAIL MEMBER OPERATES. 